Bryan Bickell scored in overtime on a two-on-one rush, and the Blackhawks started the playoffs on a winning note after dominating the regular season, beating the Wild 2-1 last night in Chicago.
Corey Crawford settled down after allowing a weak goal in the opening minutes. Marian Hossa also scored, for the Blackhawks.
Chicago put this one away when Johnny Oduya chipped the puck off the boards to Viktor Stahlberg on the right side. Stahlberg then dished it to Bickell on the two-on-one rush in front for the winner.
Blues 2, Kings 1 (OT)
In St. Louis, Alex Steen stole the puck from goalie Jonathan Quick behind the net and scored a short-handed goal as the Blues beat the defending Stanley Cup champs in Game 1.
Steen scored unassisted on a backhander at 13:26 of overtime less than a minute after Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk was whistled for a double-minor high sticking when he cut Dustin Penner.
Steen also scored on a power play in the first period for the Blues.
Ducks 3, Red Wings 1
In Anaheim, Teemu Selanne scored the tie-breaking power-play goal early in the third period and Jonas Hiller made 21 saves.
Nick Bonino also scored a power-play goal, and Francois Beauchemin added an empty-netter for the second-seeded Ducks.